Darwin Nunez and Uruguay told to fly home commercially after World Cup flop

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Uruguay was eliminated from the World Cup after a 1-0 defeat to Spain, with the Uruguay football federation instructing players to travel home on commercial flights rather than a private jetDarwin Nunez and Uruguay are out of the World Cup(Image: Getty Images)Uruguay appeared to have been dealt a favorable hand when the World Cup group stage draw was made.Aside from Spain, the South American outfit was pitted against tournament debutant Cape Verde and perennial underperformer Saudi Arabia. Yet the two-time World Cup winners find themselves heading home early following a 1-0 defeat to Spain on Friday.The squad, led by Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde and former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, had initially been expected to fly back to Uruguay on a private jet.

However, the AUF (Uruguay's football federation) has directed players to return home via commercial flights, as confirmed by Uruguayan outlet Tenfield.Even the expanded 48-team tournament format proved insufficient to save Uruguay, which failed to qualify as a third-place finisher.Coach Marcelo Bielsa's side could only manage draws against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, accumulating a mere two points throughout the group stage.Uruguay holds the unwanted distinction of being the highest-ranked FIFA nation (19th) to be knocked out. Bielsa, 70, confirmed his resignation during a fiery post-match outburst.Marcelo Bielsa was furious after Uruguay's exit(Image: BBC)"I've left Uruguayan football nothing because any type of support a country's soccer manager can give in a country where he has worked three years doesn't take if you don't get results," Bielsa said, via a translation."The fourth place in the World Cup qualifiers wasn't worth anything, third place in the Copa America wasn't worth anything, and obviously, I don't need to describe this showing.

The first saw long-standing goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, a fixture in the side since the 2010 World Cup, substituted at the interval following a first-half error."No, I didn't take [the decision]," Bielsa explained afterwards. The second flashpoint occurred when Bielsa substituted Valverde in the 57th minute, bringing on striker Federico Vinas.The Real Madrid midfielder reacted angrily and declined to shake his manager's hand upon leaving the field."It's a decision Muslera took himself, and Valverde, I substituted him for Federico Vinas because I wanted to have a more attacking strategy," Bielsa stated.